2012- Year of the LGBT Candidate?

2012 is shaping up to be a very important election year for LGBT candidates. More and more LGBT candidates are stepping up and running for office. Yesterday, the Orlando Sentinel published an article that highlights the four LGBT candidates that will be on the ballot this year. Incumbent Patty Sheehan is up for re-election. Two gay men are running for the District 1 race and a transgender candidate is running for county commission.

Orlando isn't the only community with LGBT people on the ballot this year. Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner is up for re-election as is Bryan Caletka from Davie. In Florida there are approximately 30 LGBT elected officials and 2012 may be the year we increase that number.

On the federal level, Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) is hoping to make history and become the first openly LGBT US Senator. There are at least 7 out candidates running for the US House of Representatives. 2012 could truly shape up to be an historic year for LGBT candidates nationwide.